Retiree Invents Shoebox-Sized Generator to Turn Plastic Waste into Clean Energy
CarisMatic is not alone in the quest to solve these environmental challenges.
A groundbreaking invention by retiree Dan Caris has the potential to solve two pressing global issues: plastic waste and the need for renewable energy. Caris, an experienced engineer, has developed CarisMatic, a small generator about the size of a shoebox, which converts plastic waste into electricity.
The world’s growing plastic waste problem has reached critical levels, with global production doubling over the past 20 years. Yet, less than 12% of this waste is recycled in many countries. Caris, motivated by the inability to recycle commercial printer cartridges, embarked on a decade-long journey to find a solution that could not only reduce plastic waste but also provide clean energy.
The CarisMatic generator uses a combination of electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical processes to convert common plastic waste such as bottles and bags into energy. The plastic is heated to high temperatures, turning it into a cloud of vapor, which is then used to turn a turbine and generate electricity. The turbine, based on Nikola Tesla’s 1913 boundary layer design, operates without blades, providing a unique and efficient method for energy production.
The generator is designed to be autonomous and requires no additional fuel, relying solely on plastic waste. The waste is chemically processed to capture carbon emissions, reducing environmental impact. While the company has yet to specify the exact energy output of the prototype, it plans to manufacture larger units that could serve homes or be scaled for industrial use.
Caris’s invention is still in development, with improvements being made to the design, including a switch from ceramics to anodized aluminum for the generator’s chamber. The company hopes to begin manufacturing the first units soon, bringing this innovative solution to market.
CarisMatic is not alone in the quest to solve these environmental challenges. Other projects are exploring similar technologies to convert plastic waste into energy, including methods like hydrothermal liquefaction, which converts plastic into biofuel. These technologies aim to reduce the massive amounts of plastic in our environment while providing clean energy solutions.
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With Caris’s invention, the world may soon have a cleaner, more sustainable way to deal with plastic waste while simultaneously addressing the global demand for renewable energy.
